It was unknown to local inhabitants until it was discovered and named by the 1921 British Mount Everest reconnaissance expedition when reconnoitring a route to climb the mountain.

On the western side of the col is the East Rongbuk Glacier which flows north from Everest.

[4] Expeditions attempting Everest via the North Col generally arrive up the East Rongbuk Glacier and so do not reach Lhagba La at all.

However, when George Mallory and Guy Bullock were trying to reach the North Col, the route from Rongbuk was unknown to them.

The climbing team eventually had to cross the pass and descend some 460 metres (1,500 ft) to the East Rongbuk Glacier before ascending to the North Col.[1] Their discovery allowed the 1922 British Mount Everest expedition to take the more direct route from the north.